ZONES OF REGULATION - SUPPORT FOR PARENTS

At Northway, we use the Zones of Regulation to help children recognise and manage their feelings in a healthy way. It’s a simple, child-friendly framework that teaches emotional awareness and self-regulation.

🧠 What is Self-Regulation?

Self-regulation means being able to understand and manage your emotions, body, and behaviour in response to what’s happening around you. Children aren’t born with this skill — they learn it through experience and support. The Zones of Regulation help children build this ability over time, using colour-coded “zones” to describe how they’re feeling.

🟥🟡🟢🟦 The Four Zones Explained

You can explain to your child:

“All zones are okay. We just need to learn what helps us when we’re in each one.”

Below are four colour zones, what they mean, and examples of behaviours children might show:

🟦 Blue Zone – Low Energy

Feelings: sad, tired, bored, sick, lonely
Behaviours: yawning, slumped posture, quiet voice, withdrawing, not engaging

👉 “I feel slow or low right now.”

🟩 Green Zone – Ready to Learn or Focus

Feelings: calm, focused, happy, content, in control
Behaviours: listening well, sitting calmly, paying attention, smiling, participating

👉 “This is my learning zone!”

🟨 Yellow Zone – Heightened Alertness

Feelings: excited, silly, nervous, worried, frustrated, wiggly
Behaviours: fidgeting, talking fast, interrupting, whining, bouncing or giggling

👉 “I’m feeling fizzy – not out of control, but not calm either.”

🟥 Red Zone – Out of Control

Feelings: angry, scared, panicked, overwhelmed
Behaviours: shouting, hitting, crying, storming off, slamming things

👉 “I’m losing control and need help.”

Here are some simple ways to use the Zones at home - download the poster below to display at home:

✅ Talk About Feelings Using Zone Colours

• Ask: “What zone are you in right now?”

• Use the colours during daily routines, e.g. “You seem a bit yellow zone after school – shall we do something calming?”

🧰 Create a Calming Toolbox

• Fill it with fidget toys, headphones, soft fabrics, colouring, or a calm playlist.

✍️ Make a Visual Chart

• Use printed images or coloured cards so your child can point to how they feel.

📖 Use Books and Stories

• Talk about what zones characters might be in and how they manage their feelings.

🧘 Model Your Own Regulation

• Say: “I’m in the yellow zone because I’m rushing. I’m going to take a deep breath.”

🗓️ Set a Daily Check-In

• Do a quick zone check in the morning or after school using coloured cards or a feelings wheel.